BY ZACHARIA WASHINGTON
Diving in deeper
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Davies is hoping once the solar eclipse is over, people stay to observe the sky at nightfall. “Come for the sun, stay for the stars,” Davies said. “You can’t have a total solar eclipse without a new moon, and the best time to observe the night sky ... is during the new moon.” Places with Dark Sky designations tend to attract astro-tourists, or people who travel from around the U.S. and sometimes even the world to experience astronomical events or phenomenons. Texas has over 20 sites designated as Interna- tional Dark Sky Places, including many in Central Texas. The program certi es areas across the world that preserve and protect dark skies through lighting policies and public education. Liberty Hill has been working toward a designa- tion since July and o cials are expecting to receive it by summer 2025. Liberty Hill would be the rst northern Austin-area city with the designation. “We will always make sure that we are following the proper ordinances, so that [Liberty Hill] can keep [its] designation forever,” Amsler said.
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MAP NOT TO SCALE N
Dark skies in Central Texas
Designation in progress
1 Bee Cave
5 Fredericksburg
10 River Hills Neighborhood State Park & Historic Site 9 Lyndon B. Johnson
3 Dripping Springs 2 Blanco
6 Horseshoe Bay 7 Jonestown
13 Liberty Hill
12 Wimberley Valley 11 Travis County Milton Reimers Ranch Park
4 Enchanted Rock
8 Lost Creek
SOURCE: TEXAS CHAPTER OF DARKSKY INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IMPACT
State Natural Area
Development
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Something to note
Experts said the April 8 total solar eclipse will o er a di erent experience than the annular October eclipse, and they are encouraging spectators to pay special attention to nature during the event. “There’s the experience of the moon’s shadow passing over you,” Luongo Cassidy said. “It’ll darken and you want to listen to what all the animals are doing as that light changes.” Local o cials said they are looking forward to the bene ts of tourism brought on not only from the eclipse, but also the region's dark skies. Once obtained, Amsler said Liberty Hill o cials will actively work to maintain the city’s Dark Sky designation through ordinances that ensure its lighting is compliant, even as new developments come online. “Once we get that dark sky initiative, we want to market that and let tourists know, ‘Hey, come visit us,’” Amsler said. “Hopefully, while they’re here, they’ll spend time in our downtown … and really just check out Liberty Hill.”
Preserve night skies Experts recommended a few steps residents can take to reduce light pollution.
Once a community or park receives a Dark Sky designation, it can generate additional tourism dollars from those seeking dark skies. “It draws tourists—people will drive for [dark skies],” DarkSky Texas President Cindy Luongo Cassidy said. Davies said roughly two dozen Hill Country entities are either in the process of submitting an application for a designation or hoping to start soon. “There is such a draw to come out to take advan- tage of all the beauty and nature and history during the day, and then luxury under the night sky,” she said. “It’s given communities a great opportunity to use [dark skies] as a way to promote their area.” Furthermore, dark skies can better support nature and the ecosystem. Luongo Cassidy said light pollution—the brightening of the sky by manmade or arti cial sources—can negatively impact the migratory pattern of birds, the re y population, pollinators and even humans. “Light pollution a ects every single ... creature on the planet,” Davies said. “We’re really hoping to continue to see this uptick in people taking an inter- est in becoming involved, becoming engaged, and telling people they know about [light pollution].”
Replace light bulbs with warmer colors
Turn outdoor light xtures downward
Install motion sensors or timers for lights
Use lighting on an as-needed basis
Keep indoor lighting from escaping outdoors
SOURCES: DARKSKY INTERNATIONAL, HILL COUNTRY ALLIANCE COMMUNITY IMPACT
“If we don’t act now … there’s not going to be a night sky for our children, for their children, for future generations.”
DAWN DAVIES, NIGHT SKY PROGRAM MANAGER AT HILL COUNTRY ALLIANCE
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LEANDER LIBERTY HILL EDITION
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